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Each day we introduce a new sport. We begin by paddling sea kayaks to magical
snorkeling spots or to nearby islands. Another day finds us in surf kayaks
shredding the waves just off our shore, or scuba diving the underwater "Wall"
within swimming distance of our island. At night we enjoy home-cooked meals
featuring Belizean seafood.
Perched on the brink of the continental shelf, our private island base at Long
Caye lies on the slender coral ring of Glover’s Reef, an atoll 35 miles off the
mainland. Glover’s encompasses an 82-square mile shallow lagoon surrounded by
the deep waters of the open sea. Within this necklace of coral, you’ll find more
than 700 pristine patch reefs brimming with the richest variety of marine life
in the Caribbean. Just off our shore, the ocean floor drops 2,600 feet in less
than a mile. This interface between the open sea and the sheltered lagoon
results in an astounding diversity of marine life.
Belize is famous for its’ coral reefs, and those at Glover’s are considered the
most pristine in the country. In recognition of the outstanding natural quality
of the ecosystem, the atoll has been designated a National Marine Reserve and
UNESCO World Heritage Site to protect it for future generations. Our Water
Sports Center on Long Caye sits amidst this underwater paradise, offering a
backdrop few locations can match.
We spare no effort to ensure that our tour is the best sea kayak trip in Central
America, if not the entire Caribbean. In addition to the luxury of a secluded,
private island, our equipment is top-notch: we have a fleet of over 40 sea
kayaks, surf kayaks, and sit-on-top kayaks, which ensures that everyone has a
choice of boats. We also have windsurfing gear for all ability levels.
Our guides are carefully selected from the
most experienced professionals in the business. Our facilities are rustic,
private, and comfortable, featuring two-person, thatch-roofed cabanas perched
right on shore and at some distance from each other. (For those who prefer
single occupancy, we also have tents shaded by palm-thatched palapas.) We have a
rainwater collection system for drinking water, unlimited showers pumped by the
sun (air temperature), and ecologically-friendly composting toilets. Our menu
consistently receives rave reviews, and cold beer and soda are included in the
trip price. We charter private shuttle boats right out of Belize City for our
guests’ convenience.
 ZZ-SKEC-08
Full-Week
10 days/
9 nights (Fri-Su) $1,975
Service charge:
5%
2008 Season Departures:
December 5, 12, 19, 26
2009 Season Departures:
January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30;
February 6, 13, 20, 27;
March 6, 13, 20, 27;
April 3, 10, 17, 24;
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
First Half-Week
6 days/ 5 nights (Fri-Wed) $ 1,295
2008 Season Departures:
December 5, 12
2009 Season Departures:
January 9, 16, 23, 30;
February 6, 20, 27;
March 6, 27;
April 3, 10, 17, 24;
May 1, 8
Second
Half-Week
4 days/ 3 nights (Wed-Su)
$ 1,050
2008:
December 10, 17
2009:
January 7, 14, 21, 28;
February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25;
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13
Itinerary
The following description of a typical trip may vary
according to the group's wishes or the weather.
DAY 1:
Arrive at Belize International Airport.
Taxi to the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel for 5:30 p.m. orientation, dinner, and
lodging. Please note that it is important that your flight arrives before that
time, and it is required that you attend the orientation.
DAY 2:
Enjoy group breakfast, then walk to our private dock two blocks from the hotel.
From here we take a two- to three-hour boat ride to Long Caye (65 miles from
Belize City), crossing the Belize Barrier Reef south of Tobacco Caye. After a
tour of the island (tour in progress at right) and then lunch, move into your
cabana, explore the island, and snorkel orientation.
DAY 3:
This morning we conduct
the sea kayak orientation (guides demonstrating the 'T' rescue, at left). Our
expert guides cover paddle strokes, entering and exiting the kayak while in the
water, and other basic techniques. After lunch, one guide takes a group paddling
to a nearby patch reef to snorkel from the kayaks, while another guide offers
windsurfing instruction. Certified divers may also begin diving.
DAY 4:
The first Discover Scuba/Resort course
is often offered this morning for beginning divers. Others enjoy a morning
paddle. Both windsurfing and kayak surfing orientations are offered in the
afternoon. You may join one or both, then continue to practice these sports with
or without a guide for the rest of the week. We have a near-constant breeze and
a perfect set of waves breaking just off our shore.
DAY 5:
Paddle (or wind permitting,
kite sail) five miles round-trip to Middle Caye to tour the Marine Research
Center, base for visiting marine biology researchers. We go for a swim here;
scuba divers often dive here later in the week. You may also choose "island
time" if you don’t join the group on this paddle. Those that stay behind can sea
kayak, surf kayak, windsurf, or take our clear kayak out for "snorkayaking"!
DAY 6:
Begin with an early kayak rolling lesson, followed by a snorkel around the
island; or take your pick from the other activities already mentioned. Half-Week
guests leave mid morning, arriving in Dangriga by Noon - 2 p.m. (No meals or
hotels are included after breakfast on the Half-Week itinerary, and there’s no
escort once in Dangriga.
DAY 7:
After an early morning surf session, we paddle
outside the reef to snorkel at a channel-and-groove site very different from
others we have explored. After lunch take a low tide walk off the eastern shore
to discover a myriad of starfish, sea urchins, and octopus. "Hammock surfing" is
another extremely popular activity. Later the Glover's group may challenge
Adventure Week guests to a raucous game of island volleyball.
DAY 8:
Our final full day is always the best. Get in more
diving, snorkeling, or shredding. Options not yet mentioned: paddling 12 miles
round-trip to Southwest Caye, night snorkeling, reading from our extensive
library, and full-moon paddling. Our Belizean cooks prepare fantastic feasts for
us, which we enjoy in between this practically infinite array of activities.
DAY 9:
Snorkel to "The Wall", 100 yards off shore, where an underwater cliff drops from
40 - 2,600 feet in less than a mile. We return to Belize City after lunch. We
cannot guarantee the time of the arrival of the boat in Belize City as it
depends on factors such as weather and the schedule of the group coming out to
the island, so guests should not make plans for Saturday night. After checking
into the Biltmore, we enjoy dinner at our favorite restaurant.
DAY 10:
Earliest day to fly home.
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INCLUDED
* All transport and meals in itinerary
* Hotel and island accommodations listed in itinerary (booked
double occupancy if possible)
* All sleeping gear
* All kayaks, windsurfers, and accessories
* 3-6 staff per trip, depending on group size
* Glover's park entrance fees
* Cold beer, soda, juice, and water on the island (alcoholic
beverages to take out to the island are available in Belize City before
we depart)
* T-shirt
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Activities
SEA KAYAKING The 80-degree waters of the Caribbean create an
unbeatable setting to enjoy the thrills of sea kayaking. No experience is
required for this or any of our other activities. Our guides provide instruction
covering a full range of kayaking techniques, including paddling strokes,
rolling, and rescues (sea kayak orientation in progress at left). We paddle
every day to nearby islands, into the lagoon, or along the reef in search of new
diving locations. Skimming over the neon blue water, our boats dodge patch reefs
and startle spotted eagle rays, barracuda, and bonefish. We often see porpoise
and sea turtles while paddling through the channels into the open sea, where we
often stop to snorkel from the boats. Because we base from our private island,
you are assured of getting in as much or as little paddling as you desire.
SNORKELING
Of all the highlights of your visit to
Long Caye, exploring the underwater world will be the most memorable. The
pristine reefs of Belize are world-renowned, and those at Glover's National
Marine Reserve are the best in the country.
In addition to numerous patch reefs
accessible by kayak (snorkeling out of the kayaks at right), there is
outstanding snorkeling on the reef wall just off our Eastern shore. The
abundance and variety of sea life is astounding, and you could spend a lifetime
exploring the coral formations at Glover's.
SCUBA DIVING
The remarkable clarity of the water
at Glover’s makes this an ideal location for scuba, which is available from our
associates at Off the Wall Dive Center. There are 54 miles of wall diving within
a 12-mile radius of Long Caye. The top of the reef wall varies from 35 to 80
feet. Glover’s is especially well known for its variety of sponges and
gorgonians. It is not uncommon to encounter dolphins, sea turtles and as many as
50 species of creatures in one dive.
Located just down the beach, Off the Wall Dive Center is a full-service PADI
scuba shop. Guests often take time off from our activities to go diving. In
addition to serving certified divers, the shop also provides classes that permit
novices to train and continue to dive.
All guests must be physically fit to dive. Areas of
concern for diving fitness include respiratory conditions, such as asthma;
circulatory conditions (such as heart trouble); diabetes; and recent major
surgery.
FISHING
Our guests may join our local guides when they spear fish for
our dinner. Swimming from your kayak or trolling from the skiff, you witness the
hunting techniques of the locals. Serious fly fishermen should bring their gear
for bonefish, jack, and barracuda that live on the sand flats near our shore.
(Visitors fish catch-and-release only.)
WINDSURFING & KAYAK KITE SAILING
We offer beginning to advanced
windsurfing with six complete rigs and a land trainer on the island. The calm
waters of the lagoon are an ideal place to learn. For experts our short boards
provide big action in the channel surf. Steady winds are almost always present,
and the 80-degree water means you get to windsurf in your bathing suit! We also
often sail to Middle Caye using kayak parafoil kites when the wind permits. No
paddling, and you travel the 3 miles in under an hour! Please request our
information sheet on windsurfing, which gives more information on conditions and
equipment.
BIRDING
Many birds make their home on Long Caye,
including osprey, frigate birds, pelicans, turnstones, terns, plovers, herons,
and falcons. At certain times of year, Long Caye also plays host to a multitude
of migrating birds. In April, you may see more than 40 species, including summer
tanager, chestnut-sided warbler, rose-breasted grosbeak, yellow-billed cuckoo,
indigo bunting, and Baltimore oriole.
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
We receive rave reviews about our menu. Our Belizean
cooks specialize in seafood feasts, such as poached grouper fillets in
horseradish sauce, red snapper broiled in garlic, and Belizean conch stew.
Nighttime activities vary from informative talks by staff to hermit crab races
on the beach, and our cold beer and rum punch keep the action lively during
volleyball tournaments.
Accommodations
LONG CAYE AT GLOVER'S
REEF:
Depending on your experience, our Water Sports Center is either
the cushiest camp or the most rustic resort you have seen. We keep the island in
as natural a state as possible, and there is no electricity or plumbing.
Two-person cabanas are perched above the surf, and the ever-present breeze keeps
the temperatures well below what they are on the mainland. Each cabana has beds
with air mattresses and a porch with hammocks and lounge chairs. Our dining hall
is the center of island life, complete with solar-powered lights, propane stove
and refrigerator (for cold beer and soda!), and our ever-growing library.
We drink collected rainwater, and we
bathe with well water pumped by the sun (not heated, the showers are about 70
degrees). Composting toilets (odor-free!) complete this ecologically friendly
set-up. Our spacious island (13.5 acres) and rustic facilities ensure your
comfort without compromising the adventure of living on an undeveloped and
uncrowded island. Best of all, a hammock with your name on it is waiting under
the palms.
BELIZE BILTMORE PLAZA
HOTEL: The
Biltmore is a full-service hotel located on the outskirts of Belize City, three
miles from downtown and near the International Airport. The Biltmore has a
business center, beautifully landscaped courtyard, swimming pool, great
restaurant, bar, gym, gift shop, tour desk and internet cafe'. It’s perfect for
guests who are arriving early or staying late, or who have just a few extra
hours in the city.
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